Republican Peter Mills reports today that he is the first gubernatorial candidate from either party to raise the contributions necessary to qualify under Maine’s new and more stringent Clean Election law. Mills’ campaign is the first in history to collect 3,250 $5 donations to the Maine Clean Election Fund and to raise $40,000 in donations of $100 or less from Maine voters. The campaign is now able to focus solely on listening to Mainers’ concerns and promoting Mills’ message of fiscal responsibility.

“It is impossible to compete under this system without broad-based support. We have received a massive outpouring,” says Mills. “Thank you to the scores of volunteers who have made this feat possible.”

Maine’s unique campaign finance system, adopted by citizen referendum in 1996, compels participating candidates to reach out to thousands of individual Mainers to earn their support. In a statewide poll conducted last year, three out of four voters said they wanted candidates for governor to use the Clean Election law. 85% of current legislators were elected in compliance with the law.

Mills notes, “I’ve gone door-to-door talking with voters about schools, health care, and job growth. A primary purpose of the Clean Elections system is to force candidates to demonstrate grassroots support. What it really does is to get candidates inside people’s kitchens and living rooms to hear what Maine citizens have to say.”

Today’s announcement builds on last week’s accomplishment, turning in well over the 2,000 signatures necessary to get on the Republican Primary ballot.

“While waiting for the official qualification from the Ethics Commission we are encouraging small donations to continue the campaign’s forward momentum,” added Marc Pitman, Mills’ campaign manager.

The Senator from Cornville has fifteen years of state legislative service and many years’ experience advising Maine businesses through his law practice in Skowhegan. He has promoted economic development groups that have brought hundreds of jobs to central Maine. In 2005, he led the “Don’t Mortgage ME” campaign to overturn $447 million in irresponsible state borrowing. Details on his legislative accomplishments and plan to bring accountability to state government can be found at MillsForMaine.com.

(and we did it without any help from ex-Presidents…)